Nail filing assembly

ABSTRACT

Implementations described herein include adjustable nail filing assemblies capable of filing fingernails to a consistent length or shape. Such assemblies have a main body, an abrading member, and a finger bed. The main body extends along a housing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposed second end. The first end includes an opening for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail. The abrading member is removably coupleable to the second end of the main body and includes a contoured abrasive surface. The finger bed for holding a finger is movably disposed in the main body. Movement of the finger bed relative to the abrading member files the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The finger bed is translatable along a predetermined pathway relative to the abrading member. The predetermined pathway includes an arc extending in a plane transverse or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/488,467, filed Apr. 21, 2017, entitled “NAIL FILINGASSEMBLY”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to nail filing assemblies and,more particularly, relates to an assembly for filing nails to aconsistent length and/or shape along with corresponding methods.

BACKGROUND

Filing fingernails to a consistent length and shape efficiently can be adifficult task. Filing one's own fingernails can be a particularlydifficult task, requiring the use of both dominant and non-dominanthands. It is challenging to file each fingernail to a consistent lengthand shape and to do so in an efficient manner. However, many peopledesire the ability to do so.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aproblem to be solved can include filing of fingernails to a consistentlength and shape in an efficient manner or autonomously. The presentsubject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as byproviding adjustable nail filing assemblies capable of filingfingernails to a consistent length or shape. Such assemblies can includea main body, an abrading member, and a finger bed. The main body canextend along a housing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposedsecond end. The first end can include an opening for receiving a fingerbearing a fingernail. The abrading member can be removably coupleable tothe second end of the main body and can include a contoured abrasivesurface. The finger bed for holding a finger can be movably disposed inthe main body. Movement of the finger bed relative to the abradingmember can file the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The fingerbed can be translatable along a predetermined pathway relative to theabrading member. The predetermined pathway can include an arc extendingin a plane transverse or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of an assembly according tothe present subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of an assembly accordingto the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic showing one example of a predetermined pathwayaccording to the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing one example of a predetermined pathwayaccording to the present subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of an assembly accordingto the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present subject matter provides for adjustable nail filingassemblies capable of filing fingernails to a consistent length orshape. Such assemblies can include a main body, an abrading member, anda finger bed movably disposed in the main body that is movable relativeto the abrading member to file the fingernail to a predetermined lengthor shape. Such assemblies can facilitate filing of multiple fingernailsto a consistent length or shape, and in an efficient manner orautonomously.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, one exemplary assembly 100 can include a mainbody 102 that can extend along a housing longitudinal axis 104 from afirst end 106 to an opposed second end 108. The first end 106 caninclude an opening 110 for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail. Anabrading member 112 can be removably coupleable to the second end 108 ofthe main body 102 and can include a contoured abrasive surface 114. Afinger bed 116 for holding a finger can be movably disposed in the mainbody 102. Movement of the finger bed 116 relative to the abrading member112 can file the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The finger bed116 can be pivotable or translatable along a predetermined pathway 118relative to the abrading member 112.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, another exemplary assembly 200 can include amain body 202 that can extend along a housing longitudinal axis 204 froma first end 206 to an opposed second end 208. The first end 206 caninclude an opening 210 for receiving a finger bearing a fingernail. Anabrading member 212 can be removably coupleable to the second end 208 ofthe main body 202 and can include a contoured abrasive surface 214. Afinger bed 216 for holding a finger can be movably disposed in the mainbody 202. Movement of the finger bed 216 relative to the abrading member212 can file the nail to a predetermined length or shape. The finger bed216 can be pivotable or translatable along a predetermined pathway 218relative to the abrading member 212. The finger bed 216 can be pivotableor translatable relative to the abrading member 212 about and axistransverse to or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 204. The mainbody 202 can include plastic and, additionally or alternatively, caninclude an optically transparent material. The main body 202 can furtherinclude a pair of opposed voids 226, 228 disposed therein where eachvoid extends from the first end towards the second end from a lowerportion of a lateral edge of the first end of the housing. Such voidscan allow for greater than 45 degrees angular rotation of the finger inthe finger bed 216 relative to the housing longitudinal axis 204. Themain body 202 can be further configured to capture nail shavings duringuse.

In one example, the finger bed 216 can be adjustable within the mainbody 202 along the housing longitudinal axis 204 in order to adjust alength of the predetermined shape of the fingernail. In an additional oralternative example, the predetermined shape of the fingernail caninclude a square, an oval, a squoval, a rounded shape, a pointed shape,a flat-tipped shape, or the like.

In another example, the finger bed 216 can include a base portion 220having resilient members 222, 224 extending from each lateral side ofthe base portion 220 to receive a finger. Here, the finger bed 216 cansecurely receive fingers of a range of sizes, from a pinky to a thumb ofa variety of users. In one example, the finger bed 216 can securely holdfrom about a ring size 4 to about a ring size 10 finger. Securelypositioning each finger facilitates maintenance of a consistent angleand enables the most uniform results. Furthermore, the resilient members222, 224 can protect the skin of the finger during operation of theassembly 200.

In another example, the abrading member 212 can be removably securableto the second end 208 of the housing via one or more of a snap fit, aninterference fit, threading, magnets, latches, hinges, bayonet mounts,and the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the predetermined pathway 118, 218 caninclude an arc 702 extending in a plane transverse to the housinglongitudinal axis 104, 204, an arc 802 extending in a plane parallel tothe housing longitudinal axis, or a combination thereof. In anadditional or alternative embodiment, the abrading member 112, 212 canlimit the motion of the finger bed 116, 216 in order to determine thepredetermined pathway 118, 218 and file the fingernail to thepredetermined shape.

In another example, the assembly 100, 200 can include a plurality ofinterchangeable abrading members 112, 212 where each abrading member canhave a different grit level or contour. Each of the interchangeableabrading members 112, 212 can be color coded to indicate the level ofgrit or contour corresponding to each.

In additional or alternative examples, the contoured abrading surface114, 214 can include a replaceable abrading medium. The replaceableabrading medium can include a gritted surface having an adhesivebacking. In such an aspect, a system or a kit can include the assembly100, 200 and sheet stock bearing a plurality of replaceableadhesive-backed abrading mediums. In another example illustrated in FIG.9, an assembly 300 can include a replaceable abrading medium that caninclude an elongate member 320 having a gritted surface, wherein theelongate member 320 can be selectively movably coupled to a contouredsurface 314. Such an elongate member 320 can include an emery board.Here, either the main body 302 or the abrading member 312 can haveopposing openings disposed therein for receiving the elongate member 320therethrough. In such an aspect, a system or a kit can include theassembly 300 and one or more of the elongate members 320. In any of theexamples described above, replaceable abrading mediums can includegritted surfaces of varied grit levels and can be color coded toindicate the level of grit corresponding to each.

A list of numbered examples of the present subject matter follows.

Example 1 is an assembly, comprising: a main body extending along ahousing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposed second end, thefirst end comprising an opening for receiving a finger bearing afingernail; an abrading member removably couplable to the second end ofthe main body and comprising a contoured abrasive surface; and a fingerbed for holding a finger that is movably disposed in the main body,wherein movement of the finger bed relative to the abrading member filesthe fingernail to a predetermined length or shape.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includeswherein the finger bed is translatable along a predetermined pathwayrelative to the abrading member.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 optionally includeswherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arc extending in a planetransverse to the housing longitudinal axis.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 2-3optionally include wherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arcextending in a plane parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4optionally include wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to theabrading member about an axis transverse to the housing longitudinalaxis.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-5optionally include wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to theabrading member about an axis parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6optionally include wherein the finger bed is adjustable in the main bodyalong the housing longitudinal axis to adjust a length of thepredetermined shape of the fingernail.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7optionally include wherein the finger bed comprises a base portionhaving a resilient member extending from each lateral side of the baseportion to receive a finger.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 optionally includeswherein the finger bed is configured to securely hold each finger of ahand of the user.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-9optionally include wherein the abrading member is snap fit to the secondend of the housing.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-10optionally include wherein the abrading member limits motion of thefinger bed to file the fingernail to the predetermined shape.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-11optionally include wherein the contoured abrading surface comprises areplaceable abrading medium.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-12optionally include wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises agritted surface with an adhesive backing.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-13optionally include wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises anelongate gritted surface selectively movable relative to the contouredabrading surface.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-14optionally include wherein the abrading member comprises a plurality ofinterchangeable abrading members, each of the interchangeable abradingmembers having a different grit level or contour.

In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-15optionally include wherein the housing comprises plastic.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-16optionally include wherein the housing comprises an opticallytransparent material.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-17optionally include wherein the housing has a pair of opposed voidsdisposed therein, each void extending from the first end towards thesecond end from a lower portion of a lateral edge of the first end ofthe housing.

In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-18optionally include wherein the housing is further configured to capturefingernail shavings during use.

In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-19optionally include wherein the housing further comprises a motor toeffect relative movement between the finger bed and the abrading member.

Each of the non-limiting examples and embodiments discussed herein canstand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations orcombinations with one or more of the other examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly, comprising: a main body extendingalong a housing longitudinal axis from a first end to an opposed secondend, the first end comprising an opening for receiving a finger bearinga fingernail; an abrading member removably couplable to the second endof the main body and comprising a contoured abrasive surface; and afinger bed for holding a finger that is movably disposed in the mainbody, wherein movement of the finger bed relative to the abrading memberfiles the fingernail to a predetermined length or shape.
 2. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the finger bed is translatable along a predeterminedpathway relative to the abrading member.
 3. The assembly of claim 2,wherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arc extending in a planetransverse to the housing longitudinal axis.
 4. The assembly of claim 2,wherein the predetermined pathway comprises an arc extending in a planeparallel to the housing longitudinal axis.
 5. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to the abrading memberabout an axis transverse to the housing longitudinal axis.
 6. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the finger bed is pivotable relative to theabrading member about an axis parallel to the housing longitudinal axis.7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the finger bed is adjustable in themain body along the housing longitudinal axis to adjust a length of thepredetermined shape of the fingernail.
 8. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the finger bed comprises a base portion having a resilientmember extending from each lateral side of the base portion to receive afinger.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the finger bed is configuredto securely hold each finger of a hand of the user.
 10. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the abrading member is snap fit to the second end ofthe housing.
 11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the abrading memberlimits motion of the finger bed to file the fingernail to thepredetermined shape.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the contouredabrading surface comprises a replaceable abrading medium.
 13. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises agritted surface with an adhesive backing.
 14. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the replaceable abrading medium comprises an elongate grittedsurface selectively movable relative to the contoured abrading surface.15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the abrading member comprises aplurality of interchangeable abrading members, each of theinterchangeable abrading members having a different grit level orcontour.
 16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprisesplastic.
 17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises anoptically transparent material.
 18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thehousing has a pair of opposed voids disposed therein, each voidextending from the first end towards the second end from a lower portionof a lateral edge of the first end of the housing.
 19. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the housing is further configured to capture fingernailshavings during use.
 20. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising amotor to effect relative movement between the finger bed and theabrading member.